If anyone ever has any Uni related questions, I'm here to help!

[KathleenandCraig]

Well after getting some great help from lots of people on the forums, I thought it was about time I offered to give something back.

 

 

One thing I have noticed is a lack of questions on University and other tertiary education. It surprises me as in my day job I get a lot of questions in person, on the phone and online from us poms! Maybe it's that the people of pomsinadelaide are fully up to date with their higher ed knowledge or there simply isn't a need for it on here as I do notice most of us have younger families.

 

 

In any case I would like to offer my help to anyone who may have a question about Universities especially here in SA. After 18 months of working in a senior marketing role at UniSA I have built up a decent amount of knowledge about the 3 SA Universities and before I get accused of any bias, all 3 are great and have their strengths. This makes us very lucky in SA, I speak from experience after working in similar roles back in the UK where there is a real mixed bag of excellent, good, average and very poor Universities. I also have had to build a bit of know how about admissions, fees and some general “other” know how. So though I am a bit of a “generalist” I do know a lot of “specialists”, whether that be an academic in a particular program or a professional in a key function area. So even if I don't know the answer immediately I feel fairly confident I know someone who will or where to direct you to at the very least.

 

 

So if anyone out there ever does need or want any help in the University area feel free to PM me and I will try my best to assist.

 

 

 

Hope we are all enjoying our very warm summer!

 

 

Craig

[Diane]

Thanks Craig - you will be a really useful resource for lots of us, I'm sure. Much appreciated.

[Hels&Lew]

Thank you Craig

 

My son is hoping to go to University in 2015 in Australia. He's just about to take his A' Levels here in the UK. Most of his friends have applied for University in the UK and start their courses in September. We are moving to Adelaide in September and we are pleased that he has agreed to come with us. We have lots of questions so Ill talk to him tonight and get back to you.

 

Thank you

 

Helen

[Guest Guest12727]

Hi Helen,

In the other school thread I have posted the link to SATAC - this is the university entrance body who handle all applications to the 3 unis here. Probably worth taking a look at their website and contacting them direct.

 

Craig will hopefully know more about how they recognise A-Levels as entrance. I would be surprised if they didn't.

[Hels&Lew]

Hi Helen,

In the other school thread I have posted the link to SATAC - this is the university entrance body who handle all applications to the 3 unis here. Probably worth taking a look at their website and contacting them direct.

 

Craig will hopefully know more about how they recognise A-Levels as entrance. I would be surprised if they didn't.

 

Thanks Howde

 

My 18 year old (Olly) is already looking into this himself. Thanks for the information - I'll pass it on. Im going to get him to contact Craig & hopefully register on this forum.

 

Helen

[Guest Guest75]

Hiya you two!!

 

Hope it's going well for you!

 

To all-- these guys are genuine and "in the know":notworthy:

[KathleenandCraig]

Hi Russell - Things are going really well thank you, hoping to start building up in the hills sooner rather than later. How is life on the coast?

 

Hi Helen and Howde - Yes as Howde says all 3 Universities will recognise A-Levels but I would always suggest a 1-to-1 with the University you are considering to work out the exact conversion of A Levels or BTEC to an Australian ATAR Score (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) as there can be slight differences. Uni of western Australia has a good tool which I used to learn on the job, I keep pushing UniSA to have one on their website.

 

 

As Howde says SATAC is the body all domestic students will need to apply through (Citizens and PR), if you are here on a temporary visa then there is a strong chance you will be considered an on-shore International student and the application route can vary (sometimes it can be direct through the University). Helen, if your son has some questions feel free to send them through, as stated I will try my best to help or at the very least get you in contact with someone who can help you.

[Hels&Lew]

Hi Russell - Things are going really well thank you, hoping to start building up in the hills sooner rather than later. How is life on the coast?

 

Hi Helen and Howde - Yes as Howde says all 3 Universities will recognise A-Levels but I would always suggest a 1-to-1 with the University you are considering to work out the exact conversion of A Levels or BTEC to an Australian ATAR Score (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) as there can be slight differences. Uni of western Australia has a good tool which I used to learn on the job, I keep pushing UniSA to have one on their website.

 

 

As Howde says SATAC is the body all domestic students will need to apply through (Citizens and PR), if you are here on a temporary visa then there is a strong chance you will be considered an on-shore International student and the application route can vary (sometimes it can be direct through the University). Helen, if your son has some questions feel free to send them through, as stated I will try my best to help or at the very least get you in contact with someone who can help you.

 

Hi Craig it's Oliver, Helens older son.

I'm applying to a South Australian university this year to begin in 2015. I'm currently taking A2 geography, A2 business and AS applied business with AS English language. I'm predicted and hope to get B, A, A, B retrospectively (the two AS grades working out at a B A2 grade, for arguments sake) I had a look on your ATAR conversion table and this would give me 13 GCE points and 93 ATAR points?

 

Im thinking about doing a business degree (although not sure which as of yet) so had a look on the Adelaide university website. It said they have requirements of around 80.5 for business courses and even some courses having minimum requirements of 67. This seem unusually low, just wondering if I'm missing anything or have converted my grades incorrectly?

 

Also, I'm on a permanent 176 visa, do you know wether this means I have to pay domestic fees upfront or will I be able to access a loan?

Thanks so much both you and Howde for offering to help on this, it seems really hard to get the information over the internet so all the help is much appreciated, Ollie

[SWMBO]

Hi Oliver

If you are on a Permanent Visa you will pay Domestic fees,these will have to be paid upfront each semester before doing the courses.

You will not be able to access any HECS or loans for this until you are a Citizen.

Depending on the courses the fees can vary a lot.

[flossybeth]

OK - I have one. My niece contacted me recently to enquire about her options of studying here in Adelaide. She's in her first year of A-Levels (back in the UK) and is hoping to do an arts degree (if poster design/interior design comes as a degree...) would she just have to apply as an international student and see how that goes?

 

I've already told her she'll have to pay international fees but she still seems determined.

[KathleenandCraig]

Hi Oliver

 

As SWIMBO has said below if you are here on a PR visa then the fees would be commonwealth supported just as an Australian Citizen is, but unlike them you are not entitled to get a student loan to cover those costs (known as HECS). Your fees would need to be paid up front before each semester.

 

In terms of entry requirements, each University have different requirements. They also may give you a different score for your A levels (not too different). A good rule for would be that students must have a minimum of six points for entry to university and have completed at least three ‘A’ Level academic subjects.

 

The scoring system guide (need to confirm with each University) would be

A*= 6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1

 

Again just to give you an idea of entry for a business program at the 3 Universities:

 

UniSA - Bachelor of Business – Score of 7

Adelaide Uni - Bachelor of Commerce – Score of 9

Flinders Uni - Bachelor of Business – I can’t see their score published but you can contact them for this

 

I won’t comment on which is best as I know both Adelaide and UniSA are good due to their international ranking. Flinders may be equally as good it’s just that I am not as familiar with their business program.

 

My advice would be to try not to treat the entry requirement as measure of quality but more a supply/demand. We have programs in my bit of UniSA that has an ATAR of 99+ but that is not because it’s any better or necessarily more difficult than the same program elsewhere or another program at UniSA with an ATAR of 60 or 70, just there is a huge demand for the program and limited places so it is high to ensure we get the best of the applicants. Business (coming from someone who studied business himself), can afford to offer more places than other programs and with all 3 Universities offering it we can all afford to have a lower ATAR than say medicine, physio or law. Does not make business a lesser course or less difficult.

 

If you want more info about the UniSA business courses I have a great contact if you PM me.

 

Cheers

 

Craig

[KathleenandCraig]

Hi Flossybeth

 

Yes if she is here on a student or another temporary visa she would be classed as an International student. The cost of her program can vary quite a bit but all 3 Universities generally publish these costs on their program pages

 

UniSA

Adelaide

Flinders

 

Again if UniSA is on her list then I have a good contact in our Arts area which I would be happy to pass on.

[Guest Sherbs87]

Hi, I was wondering if you may be able to help me.

 

im looking to come over to do my postgraduate at flinders.

 

I'm really struggling on where to get information on financial help. It seems to be a bit all over the place and I'm not sure where to start! I am a citizen so will be a domestic student.

 

any help would be amazing! Thanks

[Guest Guest12727]

Hi Sherbs87

What type of Postgrad studies are you looking at?

[Guest Sherbs87]

Hi Sherbs87

What type of Postgrad studies are you looking at?

 

hi Howde

 

i want to do the Master of Teaching (Secondary). I figured rather than getting my teaching qualification in the UK it would be better to do it over there!

[are we there yet?]

Hi Oliver

 

As SWIMBO has said below if you are here on a PR visa then the fees would be commonwealth supported just as an Australian Citizen is, but unlike them you are not entitled to get a student loan to cover those costs (known as HECS). Your fees would need to be paid up front before each semester.

 

In terms of entry requirements, each University have different requirements. They also may give you a different score for your A levels (not too different). A good rule for would be that students must have a minimum of six points for entry to university and have completed at least three ‘A’ Level academic subjects.

 

The scoring system guide (need to confirm with each University) would be

A*= 6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1

 

Again just to give you an idea of entry for a business program at the 3 Universities:

 

UniSA - Bachelor of Business – Score of 7

Adelaide Uni - Bachelor of Commerce – Score of 9

Flinders Uni - Bachelor of Business – I can’t see their score published but you can contact them for this

 

I won’t comment on which is best as I know both Adelaide and UniSA are good due to their international ranking. Flinders may be equally as good it’s just that I am not as familiar with their business program.

 

My advice would be to try not to treat the entry requirement as measure of quality but more a supply/demand. We have programs in my bit of UniSA that has an ATAR of 99+ but that is not because it’s any better or necessarily more difficult than the same program elsewhere or another program at UniSA with an ATAR of 60 or 70, just there is a huge demand for the program and limited places so it is high to ensure we get the best of the applicants. Business (coming from someone who studied business himself), can afford to offer more places than other programs and with all 3 Universities offering it we can all afford to have a lower ATAR than say medicine, physio or law. Does not make business a lesser course or less difficult.

 

If you want more info about the UniSA business courses I have a great contact if you PM me.

 

Cheers

 

Craig

 

 

Hi kathleenandcraig,

 

I wondered if you can help with my question?

we are applying for a 489 skilled sponsored visa and our son who has already done his A`levels wants to go to uni in australia, he`s already been offered a place here in the UK, would he be classed as an international student? if so, is it worth contacting individual unis to see if the have any concessions available if he is classed as international? your thoughts would be greatly appreciated

 

kind regards

[Guest Guest12727]

 

hi Howde

 

i want to do the Master of Teaching (Secondary). I figured rather than getting my teaching qualification in the UK it would be better to do it over there!

 

Apologies for the delay in replying, I missed your post.

 

I think the only financial assistance to you is through Centrelink. You will have to contact them to see what (if anything) you are entitled to. http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/dhs/centrelink

As far as I am aware there are no scholarships available for this type of degree.

 

Also, there have been some changes with the budget, which may not appear on the website. This seemed to favour people who are studying and are under 25, but all the detail is still unclear.

[are we there yet?]

does anyone think this is an option?, say our son starts his degree course here in the UK and completes the third year in an Australian university, ( i think alot of unis offer the chance to do the final year at another uni) will he still be allowed to come and go under our 489 visa or will he be asked to be removed? would it affect our application for residency in the future? the cost of being an international student is just to great for us to even consider it, but he`s desperate to go to uni to do his degree and also be with his family!!! any help or advice would be great

thanks

[KathleenandCraig]

Hi everyone

 

Apologies for a lack of replies but we have been having a mad few weeks! Howde has answered most of the questions and as they say there have been a few new things pop up due to the budget. I can only speak from the discussions I am privy to, but I suspect what I say will be the case with Adelaide and Flinders, essentially we don't know what will happen following the news from the budget.

 

It does look like students will have to bear the brunt of higher fees but to what amount? We just don't know yet. I suspect Post Grad study will be hardest hit but I doubt Undergrad study won't see changes too. I hope Australian Universities look to their colleagues back in the UK and avoid some of the pitfalls of raising fees. I read recently the VC of Adelaide uni raise the possibility of 2 levels of fees, some program's will be cheaper than others depending on type (and I suspect popularity). This is a common model deployed in the UK in the past 2 years. It reminds me of Ryan Air, where you could be sat next to someone who paid 50% less for their seat than you paid.

 

I would advise anyone looking at study in 2015 and beyond to get in touch with the university they are considering and they can update you of fees, scholarships and entry requirements.

 

"Are we there yet", if your son is on the same visa (489 is temp right?), then he will be classed as an onshore full fee paying student but for all intent, an international student. There are scholarships solely available to international students usually based on academic achievement and his choice of program.

 

Cheers

 

Craig